Mary Helena Fortune (circa 1833 - circa 1910) was an Australian mystery, suspense, and horror writer who wrote under the pseudonyms "Waif Wander" and "W.W." She was one of the earliest female detective writers in the world (if not the earliest). She was also probably the first to write from the viewpoint of the detective. A prolific storyteller, she wrote at least 500 detective stories over 40 years, many featuring Detective Mark Sinclair. This volume reprints 15 of her classic stories (many for the first time) and is the largest collection of her work ever published.

Included are:

THE RED ROOM

THE SPIRITS OF THE TOWER

THE GREENSTONE GRAVES

AT "THE RANGES"

ILLILLIWA

MY LODGER

HEATHERVILLE

THE WHITE MANIAC; A DOCTOR'S TALE

THE SECRET OF THE KEYS

TRACES OF CRIME

THE QUEEN OF COOINDA

THE BRAND OF CAIN

THE ST. JOHNS

AT THE NEW YEAR

THE MURDER AT OZER'S

Author

Mary Fortune

Mary Fortune (c. 1833-1910?) migrated from Canada to the Australian goldfields in 1855. She published her first detective stories in the Australian Journal in 1865, using the pseudonyms of 'Waif Wander' and 'W. W.'. In all, she wrote over 500 detective stories over 40 years, most featuring Detective Mark Sinclair. Her one book, The Detective's Album (1871), is the first known collection of detective fiction stories by a woman. She died an alcoholic, the date and place still unknown - somehow fitting for this pioneering woman of mystery.

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ISBN
B00QL9TH1W
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